Type/Species: Hydra
Origin: Hindu Mythology, India
History: Ananta is the thousand-headed serpent of Hindu Mythology. It created amrita, the elixir of immortality. Amrita was created by the churning of the Ocean. Vishnu, the god of life, sleeps on this creature's back as it floats through a "sea of milk". Ananta only sleeps, however, during the between the periods of creation... that is to say, when the Lord of Creation sleeps, during the night of Brahma, Brahma is reborn. In addition, Ananta spews fire to destroy of creation as a part of the cylce of creation.
Symbolism: Ananta has a sort of dual nature: it allows the god of life to sleep on its back, but it also destroys creation.
Physical Description: It is a thousand-headed serpent.
- Giants, Monsters & Dragons by Carol Rose
For more information about these footnotes, please see the bibliography.
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© Kylie 'drago' McCormick.
Last updated: 1 October 2009